New religious bills raises concern
KUCHING: The Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) considers the recent move or any future attempts to introduce Shariah bills affecting non-Muslim religions as directly contravening the very spirit of the formation of Malaysia where Sarawak, Sabah, and Malaya are equal partners. “Furthermore, the Federal Constitution clearly states in Article 11(1) that every person has […]
Houses of worship can reopen with strict conditions
KUCHING: Effective tomorrow (July 24), non-Muslim houses of worships are allowed to reopen under the Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) in the state but with strict conditions. The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) in its updated standard operating procedures (SOPs) for houses of worship released today (July 23), said that the houses […]
They miss the food and drinks
KUCHING: There are no Ramadan bazaars in the state for the second consecutive year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many food lovers miss the wide variety of food and drinks sold at the colourful bazaars. The regulars to these bazaars comprise Muslims and non-Muslims. Following are comments from non-Muslims on why they miss the Ramadan […]
Administrative directive on use of ‘Allah’ will be issued soon
PUTRAJAYA: An administrative order on the use of the word ‘Allah’ will be issued soon, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. He said the directive would be issued under existing acts, including the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. “The existing acts give the minister the power to issue directives … this is what we will do. “This directive needs to […]
Non-Muslims free to use word ‘Allah’
MULU: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has reiterated that non-Muslims in Sarawak are free to use the word ‘Allah’ in their prayers and religious publications. “In Sarawak, you can use (the word) ‘Allah’, while for some they won’t allow and quarrel (over it). “We in Sarawak, anytime if you want to use […]
Let’s leave it to the court, says Muhyiddin
KUCHING: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he will leave it to the court for its decision on the federal government’s appeal against a High Court decision to allow non-Muslims to use the word ‘Allah’. “Well, I cannot comment that much because the case is now with the court. The appeal is on, so let’s wait for the result. “And I would not want to express my personal feelings because it would be subjudice. “The Attorney-General has appealed against that, and we leave it entirely to the court to decide,” he said in a press conference after visiting Sarawak General Hospital’s (SGH) new Day Care Centre in conjunction with his visit to Sarawak here today (April 2). Muhyiddin was responding to questions regarding certain parties which raised their concern on the federal government’s appeal against the High Court decision. On March 10, the High Court ruled that Christians nationwide could use the word ‘Allah’ and three other Arabic words – Baitullah, Kaabah and solat in their religious publications for education purposes. Court of Appeal judge Nor Bee Ariffin, sitting as a High Court judge, had allowed a judicial review application by Sarawak native Christian, Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill, whose legal battle on the matter began 13 years ago. However on March 15, the federal government gave a notice that it would appeal against the High Court ruling.
Don’t use court’s decision on ‘Allah’ issue as political material
KUCHING: The use of the word ‘Allah’ by Christians for religious and publication purposes is not an issue in Sarawak and should not be made as political material by some parties, said Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. “The Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has made […]
Federal government should not oppose High Court decision
KUCHING: There should not be any appeal against the High Court’s ruling on the use by non-Muslims of the word ‘Allah’, said Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen. “It is our constitutional right to freedom of religion,” he said during a press conference at Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak Headquarters here today. He […]
Abang Johari ensures religious freedom in state
MIRI: The significant allocations given to the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to be disbursed to non-Muslim houses of worship is a testament to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s commitment to ensuring and promoting religious freedom in Sarawak. In saying this, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting said […]
Association praises High Court’s decision
KUCHING: The Sarawak Evangelical Christian Association (SECA) has welcomed the decision of the High Court to allow the usage of the word ‘Allah’ and three other words by Christians and other non-Muslims throughout Malaysia. “This is a constructive step forward in restoring the principle of religious freedom our forefathers envisaged and aspired to, in building a […]
